For this reason, it’s mainly used for creating prototypes rather than the final product. While STL is great at printing complex shapes, it does have relatively limited capabilities in other areas - including color and texture.This makes STL a smart choice if you’re printing an object in a single color and material. Due to their lack of color and texture, STL files tend to be smaller in size yet faster at processing than other formats.Whatever shape you choose, it’s usually able to produce an accurate model. You can use an STL file to create a wide variety of objects - from lamps and plant pots to drone accessories and camera tripods.Because it’s pretty much universally recognized, it’s a reliable choice for designing and printing your 3D models or objects. Nearly all 3D printers can use and support the STL file format.Read on to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of STL. However, several of its drawbacks also may mean it’s not always suitable for your needs. There are many advantages to using the STL file format.